Politics

Elliot Denies Violence Plot as Group Alleges Surulere APC Primary Disruption

Published

2 months ago

May 20, 2026

'Bad Loser': APC Chieftain Knocks Desmond Elliot Over Surulere Primary Withdrawal

Elliot Denies Violence Plot as Group Alleges Surulere APC Primary Disruption

A political pressure group, the Surulere Accountability Front (SAF), has alleged a plot by the lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot, to cause chaos during Wednesday’s All Progressives Congress assembly primaries in the constituency. The group, in a statement by its Chairman, Mr Olanrewaju Badmus, alleged that Elliot had brought non-residents into the constituency to disrupt the exercise across the six wards where voting would take place. According to the group, the alleged plan is to use violence and gunshots to scare away genuine voters and force the primary election into an inconclusive outcome. Badmus stated: “We have confirmed information that Desmond Elliot has flooded Surulere 1 with non-Surulere people ahead of the primaries across all six wards where voting will take place. They allegedly plan to use gunshots to scare voters away and let the primary election become inconclusive, believing he will then be called for negotiation.”

The group’s leader further alleged that some of the individuals brought into the area were being accommodated in hotels, church halls, mosque halls, an OPC office in Ward G, and market spaces within the constituency. He said that some youths in the area had earlier chased out suspected outsiders from Lawanson Market and urged party members and residents to remain vigilant during the exercise. “We will not negotiate our representation with someone who has shown desperation, greed, disrespect for the organised Tinubu political structure in Lagos and lust for power,” the statement read. The group declared its support for the party’s gender inclusion policy and endorsed Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, a former Special Adviser on Housing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for the APC ticket in the constituency. The Surulere Accountability Front also warned contestants against violence and disruption in the primary election, urging party members to remain calm, vigilant, and peaceful throughout the exercise across the six wards in the constituency. It appealed to eligible voters to mobilise massively and participate peacefully in the primary election and urged party members to cooperate with security agencies and party officials to ensure a credible and orderly process.

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However, a source within Elliot’s camp described the allegation as laughable, saying his opponent and her supporters “are only jittery of the lawmaker’s popularity.” The source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The allegation is a figment of their imagination. They are jittery because they know Elliot will defeat them. We are for free and fair elections, and we will surely win in a free and fair contest.” Elliot himself has insisted that no party leader, including the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, had asked him to step down from the race. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, the actor-turned-politician said he remained committed to the primary process. “Because I was not asked by him, my leader (Gbajabiamila), never,” Elliot said. “Even the day I declared, I flew to Abuja to see him again to tell him, ‘Oga’, which is how I call him, ‘Oga, I am here again.’ But at the end of the day, I am here to also serve the people. I do have the leadership, I do have the people. So, the President has said, let the people decide. If they want you to continue, you continue.” Elliot has also alleged that members of his political camp in Surulere were facing intimidation ahead of the primary election. He claimed that some local government officials allegedly lost their positions because of their support for him. “We are being intimidated in Surulere. If you know you are popular on the ground, do not intimidate the people,” he said. The lawmaker also alleged that he was being called names simply because he decided to contest again. “The truth is, I am not a cultist. I have never been a cultist. I am not a thug. I have never been. My record, my eight years, is open. I have not created any problem for anybody,” Elliot stated.

The lawmaker, who has represented Surulere Constituency I since 2015, explained why he is seeking a fourth term, saying his ambition was driven by the possibility of becoming a principal officer in the Assembly. Addressing his constituents during a campaign on Friday, Elliot urged his supporters not to bow to intimidation from rival camps. “The question is, ‘what am I looking for in the fourth term that I am being intimidated to step down?’ Don’t accept it, you have invested so much in me. There is a high chance that I will become a principal officer. On the 21st of May, stand your ground, come out in your large numbers to vote for me, and I will emerge victorious,” he said. Elliot, who quoted Psalm 121 during the campaign, said he was confident God would help him overcome the internal contest. “One with God is the majority,” he stated.

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Earlier on Friday, Elliot publicly apologised to Femi Gbajabiamila, whom he described as his political mentor. Speaking on TVC’s Your View, the lawmaker said any misunderstanding between them was unintentional and insisted he remained committed to party unity. “I know media will come out and say eh, Desmond begs again. Yes, because he’s my egbon, and I grew up learning everything I know in politics through him. So, some of these things were not intentional,” he said. “He might be upset for something or whatever it was. I’m human, and to err is human, to forgive is divine. So, I’m sorry, my daddy, if I have offended you in any way. Give me another chance so we can move on and bring development and dividends of democracy to the people,” Elliot said. The apology followed previous tensions linked to the Lagos Assembly leadership crisis, during which Gbajabiamila said President Bola Tinubu confronted him over intelligence reports alleging Elliot’s involvement in the speakership tussle, a claim Elliot has consistently denied.

Meanwhile, Elliot has explained why he signed the impeachment notice against the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, during the January 2025 leadership crisis in the Assembly. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, the actor-turned-politician said he was outside the country when the impeachment took place. The majority of lawmakers in the Lagos Assembly, on January 13, 2025, voted to remove Obasa as Speaker while he was reportedly on vacation in the United States. “I would like to state categorically that I wasn’t in the country. My wife and I travelled during the period of January 13th of 2025. We were in recess and then it was an opportunity for us to travel to attend my wife’s younger sister’s wedding,” he said. According to Elliot, he was in South Africa when news of Obasa’s impeachment broke. “That was the time Mr Mudashiru Obasa was impeached by Lagos State House of Assembly.

It came to me as a shock because I was in South Africa then. So, obviously, it took me about two days to come back. I was also as confused as everybody was.” The lawmaker disclosed that he appended his signature to the impeachment document because he believed the move had the backing of the presidency. “And then I saw that almost everybody had signed. And pretty much, we thought it was from the presidency. In all fairness, we thought it was from the presidency. And, of course, I appended my own signature. I believe I was maybe a 30-something person at that point in time because others who had travelled had returned and others who signed.” Elliot said lawmakers later received clarification from President Bola Tinubu that the impeachment was not authorised by him. “But eventually, Mr President called us and made us understand that it was not from him and asked us to return the speaker. And we did,” he added.

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Elliot’s remarks came in response to claims by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who alleged that intelligence reports linked him to the impeachment attempt and that the situation nearly cost him his position. Gbajabiamila made the disclosure during an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos last Thursday, where he recounted how the political turmoil surrounding Obasa’s removal in January 2025 almost created a rift between him and President Tinubu. “I almost lost my job as chief of staff last year because of Desmond Elliot. He’s alive today; you can go and verify with him,” Gbajabiamila said. According to him, Tinubu summoned him to Abuja during the crisis and specifically mentioned Desmond Elliot among lawmakers allegedly involved in the impeachment plot. The former Speaker of the House of Representatives said he initially defended Elliot before later reaching out to him directly after meeting with the president. According to him, he cautioned the Surulere Constituency I lawmaker to distance himself from the impeachment move if he was involved. Gbajabiamila disclosed that three days later, the Director-General of the Department of State Services contacted him over claims that he was backing Elliot in the crisis rocking the Lagos Assembly. “Of course, the president will not believe that Desmond will do such a thing, and I don’t know about it,” he stated. He said he again urged Elliot to publicly dissociate himself from the impeachment plot, but the lawmaker allegedly refused to do so. “If it were not that I had the kind of relationship I had with the president, I wouldn’t be here today,” Gbajabiamila added.

Reacting to Gbajabiamila’s accusation, Elliot said he was surprised by the comment, considering their longstanding political relationship. “So, my leader (Gbajabiamila) coming to say this, that I almost lost his job, one I have served and has also been there for me for this long, to have said that came to me as a shock,” he said. “I did not mastermind anything. I had nothing at all. The only thing I did was to append my signature when I came back and I saw a bunch of us, if not all of us, had already appended a signature to say, ‘Oh, it was the party who wanted it.'” Elliot also addressed reports that the APC leadership is backing Barakat Odunuga-Bakare to replace him. Despite the speculation, he said no party leader, including Gbajabiamila, had asked him to step down from the race ahead of the party primaries. He reaffirmed his commitment to a free and fair primary election, stating: “If I lose, I will throw my support behind the winner. But please let it be under a free and fair election. By the grace of God, if I win, Alhamdulillah.”

Mudashiru Obasa was impeached on January 13, 2025, following allegations of abuse of office and gross misconduct levelled against him by lawmakers in the Lagos Assembly. Following his removal, then-Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda emerged as Speaker, becoming the first woman to occupy the position in Lagos State. However, Obasa rejected the impeachment upon his return to Nigeria and challenged the decision in court. After spending 49 days in office, Meranda stepped down and Obasa was reinstated as Speaker following the intervention of President Tinubu. A court subsequently nullified the proceedings and resolutions of the Assembly that led to Obasa’s impeachment.

Elliot Denies Violence Plot as Group Alleges Surulere APC Primary Disruption

Politics

Ogun 2027: Group Rejects Yayi’s Governorship Bid, Endorses Adebutu

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

Trends Admin

Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi)

Ogun 2027: Group Rejects Yayi’s Governorship Bid, Endorses Adebutu

A political pressure group, Ogun West Concerned Stakeholders’ Conference, has rejected the governorship ambition of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) ahead of the 2027 Ogun State governorship election, arguing that only aspirants with verifiable local roots and a longstanding commitment to the region should represent Ogun West.

The group, however, threw its weight behind the governorship aspiration of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, describing him as a true son of Ogun State whose ancestry and political journey are closely tied to the state.

Addressing journalists in Ilaro on Thursday, the group’s spokesperson, Hakeem Adetunji, said the organisation, which he claimed has about 5,000 members across Ogun West, was compelled to respond to what it described as attempts to portray opponents of Senator Adeola’s ambition as enemies of the district.

According to Adetunji, the group’s opposition to Adeola is rooted in his alleged lack of historical involvement in the political struggles of Ogun West and what it described as his failure to support previous governorship aspirations from the senatorial district.

Ogun West Concerned Stakeholders’ Conference

“We are here to rewrite our story because, over time, people have called us bastards simply because we do not support Senator Olamilekan Adeola’s governorship ambition,” he said.

He argued that during the 2011 governorship election involving the late General Adetunji Olurin and the 2015 election in which Gboyega Isiaka (GNI) contested, Senator Adeola was not part of the political movement for Ogun West.

Adetunji further alleged that in 2019, Adeola worked against the region’s governorship interest and repeated the same pattern in 2023 by opposing the candidacy of Biyi Otegbeye, who emerged as the sole governorship candidate from Ogun West.

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According to him, the senator allegedly deployed his political influence, resources and network to frustrate Otegbeye’s ambition in pursuit of his own governorship aspiration.

He maintained that the issue extends beyond politics, insisting that Ogun West deserves a candidate who shares the history, identity and aspirations of its people.

“Today, some people expect us to forget where we are coming from and abandon our history. We cannot do that. Senator Adeola does not share our historical background or political journey. That is why some of us cannot align with his governorship ambition,” Adetunji stated.

The group consequently endorsed Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, saying his family roots and connection with Ogun State make him a more suitable choice to lead the state.

“Some of us have identified with the aspiration of Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu because we see him as one of us,” he added.

Another member of the conference, Adeshola Hakeem, also questioned Senator Adeola’s claim to Ogun West, alleging that the lawmaker only identified with the district after relocating his political interest from Lagos State.

He argued that governorship representation should not be determined solely by political popularity but also by genuine community identity, historical contribution and consistent grassroots engagement.

The group’s position comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with Ogun West intensifying its longstanding campaign to produce the state’s next governor.

However, Kayode Odunaro, media adviser to Senator Adeola, dismissed the allegations, describing the conference as a faceless group pursuing a political agenda.

Odunaro maintained that the senator’s indigeneship is well established and no longer a matter for public debate, insisting that Adeola remains qualified to contest the governorship election under Nigeria’s constitutional provisions.

The latest criticism follows Governor Dapo Abiodun’s endorsement of Senator Adeola as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus governorship candidate for Ogun West after consultations with party leaders across the senatorial district.

Governor Abiodun had said the decision was aimed at ensuring Ogun West, which has never produced a democratically elected governor since the state’s creation in 1976, finally gets the opportunity to occupy the state’s highest political office.

As political alignments continue ahead of the 2027 election, debates over indigeneship, zoning, political loyalty and regional equity are expected to remain central issues in Ogun State’s governorship race.

Ogun 2027: Group Rejects Yayi’s Governorship Bid, Endorses Adebutu

Politics

Court Affirms David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Dismisses Abejide’s Suit

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2026

Trends Admin

National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Senate President, David Mark

Court Affirms David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Dismisses Abejide’s Suit

The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Senate President David Mark, dismissing a suit that sought to nullify the appointments of Mark and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Musa Liman held that the suit filed by Leke Abejide, the lawmaker representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, lacked merit and was not justiciable because it bordered on the internal affairs of a political party. The court ruled that it had no jurisdiction to interfere in such matters except where there is a clear breach of the law or violation of a member’s legal rights.

Justice Liman upheld the preliminary objections raised by the ADC, its former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, David Mark and Aregbesola, effectively dismissing Abejide’s claims.

The judge held that the plaintiff failed to establish that any of his legal rights had been infringed by the emergence of the current party leadership. He also ruled that Abejide did not exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before instituting the suit, a requirement under the ADC Constitution and established legal principles governing disputes within political parties.

On the substantive issues, the court ruled that the transition of leadership from Ralph Nwosu to David Mark did not violate either the ADC Constitution or the Electoral Act, 2026.

Justice Liman explained that the July 2, 2025, gathering at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja was merely a stakeholders’ meeting where Nwosu announced his intention to hand over the party’s leadership. According to the court, the formal emergence of David Mark and Aregbesola occurred during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, which was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The court held that the process complied with the party’s constitution and all applicable electoral laws.

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Justice Liman consequently declared that David Mark’s emergence as National Chairman and Aregbesola’s appointment as National Secretary were valid and lawful.

The court also imposed financial penalties on the plaintiff and his counsel. Abejide was ordered to pay ₦2 million in costs to each of the defendants, while his lawyer was directed to pay ₦10 million in costs pursuant to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Abejide had instituted the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, seeking to invalidate the leadership transition within the ADC. He argued that Nwosu’s handover of the party’s leadership to Mark and Aregbesola was unlawful and asked the court to nullify the process.

He also sought perpetual injunctions restraining David Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary and asked the court to prevent INEC from recognising them, alleging that their emergence failed to comply with the Electoral Act.

However, Justice Liman rejected all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff and affirmed the legality of the leadership change, leaving the David Mark-led National Working Committee firmly in charge of the party.

The judgment is regarded as a significant legal victory for the ADC leadership as the opposition party continues preparations for the 2027 general elections. It also comes weeks after INEC reinstated David Mark and other members of the party’s National Working Committee on its official portal following a Supreme Court decision that set aside an earlier Court of Appeal order affecting the party’s leadership recognition. Despite Thursday’s ruling, other suits challenging the ADC leadership remain pending before the courts.

Court Affirms David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Dismisses Abejide’s Suit

Politics

2027: Atiku Names Kenneth Okonkwo New Spokesperson

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Kenneth Okonkwo and Atiku Abubakar

2027: Atiku Names Kenneth Okonkwo New Spokesperson

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has appointed actor-turned-politician and lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo as his official spokesperson, in a move seen as strengthening the party’s communication strategy ahead of the next general election.

Okonkwo announced his appointment in a statement shared on his verified X account on Thursday, expressing gratitude to Atiku for the confidence reposed in him and pledging to discharge the responsibility with wisdom and dedication.

“I give God all the glory for being appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his spokesperson. I thank His Excellency for the immense confidence reposed in me,” Okonkwo said.

The former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesperson described the appointment as evidence of Atiku’s leadership style, saying the former vice president prefers dialogue, consultation and compromise whenever disagreements arise within the party.

“Rather than take offence at associates for expressing genuine reservations about any action taken, His Excellency always opts for dialogue and compromise that engender solutions to problems,” he stated.

According to Okonkwo, his concerns over the political interests of the South-East were addressed during discussions with Atiku and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He explained that the consultations provided assurances that the interests of the South-East would be protected within the framework of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the prevailing political realities.

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“At a dialogue with His Excellency and other well-meaning members of the African Democratic Congress, the interests of the South-East were discussed and guaranteed within the existing challenges posed by the Electoral Act, 2026, and the realities on the ground,” he added.

Okonkwo also acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Kashim Imam, former ADC National Chairman Ralphs Nwosu, and Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Ekene Onwuka, for their roles in promoting reconciliation and strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

He further thanked his family, supporters and friends for their encouragement and prayers.

“I still covet your prayers for wisdom, courage, provision and protection needed to carry out this challenging responsibility, which will usher in a glorious and great Nigeria,” he said.

The appointment comes weeks after Okonkwo openly criticised the ADC’s vice-presidential selection process.

He had argued that choosing a running mate from the South-South would further deepen what he described as the political marginalisation of the South-East, the only geopolitical zone yet to produce either a President or Vice President since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

Despite his reservations, the ADC later announced former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate after the former vice president secured the party’s presidential ticket.

Okonkwo’s acceptance of the spokesperson role suggests that consultations within the party have helped bridge earlier differences over the composition of the presidential ticket.

A lawyer, actor and seasoned political communicator, Okonkwo previously served as a spokesperson for the Labour Party presidential campaign and has remained an influential voice in Nigeria’s opposition politics. His appointment is expected to bolster Atiku’s public engagement and media outreach as preparations for the 2027 presidential election gather momentum.